Lakers look energized in win over 76ers

PHILADELPHIA – The Lakers bottomed out in Cleveland, got a little better in New York, won ugly in Washington and then put a lot of pieces together Sunday in Philadelphia.

The Lakers beat the 76ers, 111-98, and finished this four-game trip with the energy that Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni has long been seeking. The Lakers also looked for one of the few times this season like a team having fun playing together, getting encouraging contributions from fill-in point guards Chris Duhon and Darius Morris while Metta World Peace worked for 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds while mostly playing power forward.

World Peace's previous high in rebounds came nearly seven years ago. But it was one of those games where things just went the Lakers' way, with Kobe Bryant sharp (34 points) and improving the Lakers' record when he scores at least 30 points to 3-11.

It was enough for Bryant to speak of how enjoyable future success could be, with Pau Gasol and Steve Nash nearing injury returns. Bryant compared the Lakers' season to a wonderful springtime "after a horrible winter."

Bryant, who grew up in the Philadelphia area, gave a rare wave to the crowd when he exited the game — and afterward suggested anew that he might retire after his contract expires next season. Asked about playing additional years because he continues to play well, Bryant said: "That's a lot of work."

D'Antoni succeeded with his strategy of giving the team a mental and physical break before the last game in this stretch of seven road games out of eight. There was no team practice Saturday and no shoot-around Sunday morning, and the Lakers came out energized unlike in so many starts to games this season.

They stayed solid to beat a Philadelphia team missing point guard Jrue Holiday because of a foot injury and having been without ex-Lakers center Andrew Bynum all season because of knee pain.

"I'm not saying we're out of the woods yet," D'Antoni said, "but it's a good start."